Director's Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse

May, 1996

The National Pregnancy and Health Survey provides extensive information on the nature and extent of substance abuse among women delivering live-born infants in the U.S. The survey found that 5.5 percent of the 4 million women who gave birth, used some illicit drug during pregnancy.

National Survey Results from the Monitoring the Future Survey, 1975-1994: Vol II College Students and Young Adults.
This report presents the results of the 1977 through 1994 follow-up surveys of the graduating classes of 1976 through 1994 as respondents have progressed through young adulthood. It provides information on the prevalence of drug use among American young adults and college students, trends of use, distinctions among important demographic subgroups in these populations, the intensity of drug use, and their attitudes and beliefs concerning various types of drug used.

Research Monographs

Explores new directions for research development in the biobehavioral etiology of substance abuse. Addresses the genetic bases, neurophysiological correlates, and neurochemical factors underlying drug abuse risk and resistance.

Presents the cutting-edge research of NIDA's Molecular Biology and Genetics program. Presents studies on the transgenic models and other genetic approaches, the fast growing field of opioid receptors, and three families of transporters. Explores future directions in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying drug addiction.

Problems of Drug Dependence, 1995. Proceedings from the 57th Annual Scientific Meeting of the College on Drug Dependence, inc.- Research Monograph 162(1996) -- NCADI #M162

Contains papers adapted from the symposium meetings and plenary sessions held at the 57th Annual Scientific Meeting and offers the state-of-the-art on a wide variety of areas encompassing many disciplines in drug abuse research. Abstracts on various research-in-progress are also included, permitting readers to be informed of the latest research developments in the drug abuse field.

Describes clinical, biochemical, physiological, and psychological aspects of neurotoxicity and neuropathology associated with abuse of cocaine and other psychostimulants and proposes placing stimulant dependence in the category of neurological disorders in addition to the class of psychiatric disorders. Discusses the significance of neuropathologies in phenomenology of drug dependence and their relevance in developing successful treatment strategies.

Discusses the possible adverse behavioral effects of prenatal drug exposure on the neonate and the developing child and addresses the complex methodological issues that challenge research in this field.

Presents experiences, products, and procedures associated with the NIDA-supported Perinatal-20 Treatment Research Demonstration Program projects. Describes their efforts to expand clinical sites and implement services research protocols. Discusses issues associated with subject selection, recruitment, and retention, clinical assessment and program evaluation, data management and analyses.

NIDA NOTES

Volume 10, No. 6 (November/December 1995)-- NCADI #NN0011
The lead article in this issue reports that researchers have demonstrated that marijuana may cause drug dependence in animals. Other articles report on other marijuana research. A special report highlights the 60th anniversary of NIDA's Addiction Research Center.

Other Publications

A NIDA Conference report entitled "Cardiopulmonary Complications of Crack Cocaine Use-Clinical Manifestations and Pathophysiology" edited by Pushpa V. Thadani and the participants of the NIDA workshop has been accepted for publication in CHEST.

Gary Palsgrove was a co-author with P.M. Flynn, J.W. Luckey, and B.S. Brown, of an article entitled "Relationship Between Drug Preference and Indicators of Psychiatric Impairment," American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 21(2), pp. 153-166, 1995.

Ingster, L.M. and Cartwright, W.S., "Drug Disorders and Cardiovascular Disease: The Impact on Annual Hospital Length of Stay for the Medicare Population." American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 21(1): pp. 93-110, 1995.